The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) is the world's largest foreign language institute. The mission of the DLIFLC is to educate, sustain, evaluate, and support foreign language specialists under the guidelines of the Defense Foreign Language Program, which provides the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies with linguists fully capable of supporting United States national interests worldwide. To accomplish its four primary mission area and ensure that our military forces are prepared to meet global foreign language requirements, the DLIFLC remains flexible and responsive to the changing world order and on the cutting edge of technological innovations in foreign language education for the twenty-first century.

Educational Philosophy

The DLIFLC meets its responsibility for providing quality foreign language instruction to selected military and government personnel by designing instructional programs that teach the precise language skills needed.

These programs instruct students in the use of functional language skills so that they can perform successfully in their language assignments. The programs offer knowledge and understanding of foreign cultures and provide for professional growth in present or future assignments.

The major DLIFLC goal is to ensure that graduates meet the requirements of the agency that has assigned them to foreign language study. Students must therefore be provided instructional programs that are responsive to the foreign language needs of a wide variety of military positions throughout the world. DLIFLC programs must meet high standards so that functional language skills can be developed for professional use in real-world communication situations. Individual opportunities for learning are provided for all students on an equal basis.

The DLIFLC recognizes the value of both education and training in providing language instruction. The DLIFLC operates under the concept of a systematic approach to instruction; the principle of job-relevant instruction is central to curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation. Instruction must also be student-oriented so that effective learning can take place.

The DLIFLC recognizes that languages cannot be learned in a cultural vacuum. Language and culture are so intricately intertwined that in a context that includes the value systems, behavioral patterns, institutions, geography, and political, economic , and social systems of the areas where the target language is spoken.

In its attempt to attract and retain teachers of exceptional ability, to foster an environment of professional competence, and, above all, to provide instruction of the highest quality, the DLIFLC supports a variety of programs that assist DLIFLC employees in their professional growth and career advancement.